Jazz violinist Michael Ward grew up on the East Side listening to his mother sing jazz standards like “Satin Doll” and “Stormy Monday.”

He was drawn to the piano at an early age, but by the sixth grade, the violin became his instrument of choice.

Encouraged by musicians and music teachers, he embarked on a musical career that brought him national acclaim.

Ward joins Grammy-nominated jazz fusion band Hiroshima as headliners of the 2012 SAGE Music Festival on today from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Wheatley Heights Sports Complex at 1023 Upland Road.

Ward said he was shocked when he learned the complex was built where he once played Little League baseball.

“It's always an honor when I come home, but to play in the neighborhood where I grew up is extremely special,” Ward said by phone from New Orleans, where he now lives. “And to play in the park where I played baseball is really special.”

The festival will feature a diverse range of music, including Tejano, gospel, R&B, country and blues.

Ward will be joined by saxophonist Kyle Turner at the inaugural fest and fundraiser for the nonprofit, which serves as a resource for new businesses and current business owners on the East Side.

He remembers his community as a place where a large group of military families lived and everyone knew their neighbors.

It was a place where adults held Easter egg hunts for kids and youngsters showed off the latest moves at dance contests.

And for him, there were hours of practice with local junior orchestras that always won first place in competitions.

“I had great teachers that influenced me to go and pursue music,” Ward said. “And I never looked back.”

Because of his work, he's able to visit home only once or twice a year. But after all of his journeys, the violin he chose as his instrument has brought him back to play his music at his childhood ball park, where he struck out batters not far from where his mother still lives.